19 Dead, Hundreds of Auto Accidents from Ice Storm in Tennessee, Mississippi

Tennessee health officials have confirmed at least 14 weather-related deaths from the icy storm that has gripped much of the country. Memphis-Shelby County Schools, the state’s largest public school system with about 100,000 students, canceled Thursday classes.

The Tennessee Valley Authority, which provides electricity to seven Southern states, reported a preliminary all-time record for peak power demand Wednesday morning as the region dropped to an average of 4 degrees Fahrenheit.

The storm dumped more than 9 inches of snow since Sunday on parts of Nashville, a city that rarely sees big accumulations, the AP, the Independent and other news outlets reported. Temperatures also plunged below zero in parts of the state, creating the largest power demand ever across the seven states served by the Tennessee Valley Authority.

Thursday’s freezing rain added to the problems. Many schools and government offices have closed, and the state Legislature also shut down.

The deceased in Tennessee included a truck driver who slid into a tractor-trailer on an interstate, a man who fell through a skylight while cleaning a roof, and a woman who died of hypothermia in her home. The deaths occurred in nine Tennessee counties, news sites noted.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol said it also investigated three fatal car wrecks caused by the storm, more than 200 wrecks involving injuries and more than 600 others without injuries.

Shelby County had the most deaths but officials have declined to release details. Tennessee’s Department of Health also refused to confirm accounts provided by local authorities of deaths likely tied to the 14-death total.

In Mississippi, five winter weather-related deaths were reported and an estimated 12,000 customers in the capital city of Jackson were dealing with low water pressure, Mississippi Today and the AP reported. It was the latest problem for the city’s water system.

Pipe breaks accelerated when the frozen ground began to thaw and expand, putting pressure on buried pipes, Jackson water officials said, according to local news reports.

Memphis’ power and water company also asked customers to avoid nonessential water use because of low pressure, citing leaks. The utility said it had repaired 27 broken water mains since Saturday.

Photo: People help a driver after his vehicle was stranded after the winter storm in Nashville earlier this week. (Denny Simmons/The Tennessean via AP)

Topics Auto Windstorm Mississippi Tennessee